Piston gripping tool



Jar 1. 19, 1932. E. H. w. BECKER PISTON GRIPPING TOOL Filed June 3. 1929 E/merfi VVTBec/ser A llor neys Patented Jan. 19, 1932 UNETED STATES ELMER H. W. BECKER, OF DUPO, ILLINOIS PISTON GRIPIV'ING TOOL Application; filed June 3, 1929. Serial No. 368,126.

This invention relates to a tool which is adapted to grip and hold a piston to facilitate various hand operations such as clean ing and the fitting of packing rings and wrist pins.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tool which is adapted to engage different sizes and forms of pistons.

A further object of my invention is to provide a means for gripping and holding a piston so that it will not readily become displaced.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a tool of this kind which may be readily mounted in a vise.

As is well known, it is difficult to hold a cylindrical piston in a vise firmly enough to enough to enable a workman to perform the various operations incident to fitting rings and wrist pins, and at the same time not dan'iage the piston by the excessive compressive strain applied over a small area. Furthermore, when it is desired to turn a piston held in a vise, the vise must be unscrewed and tightened up again, which is a slow process and presents new points on the periphery of the piston which are liable to damage.

It is accordingly the prime object of my invention to provide a tool which is capable of firmly gripping and holding a piston without danger of damage thereto and one which is adapted to readily release the piston when desired to alter its position. A further principal object is to provide a tool of this character which may be readily placed and held in a vise with the piston gripped thereby.

These and other objects are accomplished by means of my invention in which I provide a resilient band which is operated by a pair of hand levers to engage a piston and a lock ring is mounted on the levers to loclr them in position. An arm is secured to the band and extends rearwardly toward the user to provide a ready means for mounting the tool in a vise. The band is provided with a suitable lining of friction material which 'afi'ords a better gripping surface than metal and thereby prevents the piston from readily becoming displaced. This friction material furthermore insures that no damage will be done the piston by the tool.

A tool embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, wherein v Fig. 1 is a plan view of the tool, and.

Fig. 2 is aside view thereof, a vise and a piston being shown indotted lines.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I provide a pair of similar levers 5 and 6 whichare crossed and pivotally connected to each other intermediate their ends by means of a'pin 7, providing short leverarms 13 and 14 and long lever arms 26 and 27. A pair of clevises 11 and 12 are securely mounted on the ends of the short arms 13 and 14 of the levers and are adapted to be engaged with the ends of an open resilient metal band 16. Each end of the band is provided with a loop portion 17 which loops are pivoted to the clevises l1. and 12 by means of pins 18.

An arm 19 is secured to the band 16 by means of rivets 21 and extends. downwardly and then rearwardly toward the operator, the rear portion lying beneath the pivot 7 when in use to provide a portion 22 adapted to be readily engaged by the operator between the jaws of a vise 23.

A lock ring 24 is mounted on. the long arms 26 and 27 of the levers 5 and 6 and after, said arms have been drawn together to cause the band 16 to contract and grip a piston 28,

is moved outwardly until it binds and locks the arms in a fixed relation to each other.

A lining 31, which may be formed from any suitable friction material, such as automobile brake lining, is secured to the inner' surface of the band 16 by means of rivets 32. This lining presents an excellent gripping surface and prevents the piston from readily becoming displaced, and insures a firm grip without damage to the piston.

When a pistonis to be repaired, such as being provided with new rings or is to be provided with a new Wrist pin, the portion 22 of the arm 19 is secured between the jaws of a vise, the arms 26 and 27 are spread to expand the band 16, and the piston is then inserted in the proper position in the band 16 for the operation to be performed. As the long arms 26 and 27 are drawn together the band 16 will be caused to contract and grip the piston after which the ring 24 is moved outwardly to lock the arms.

When a piston has been secured in the manner above described, and the tool secured in a vise, it will be apparent that the piston may be readily and quickly turned to any required position and quickly and firmly gripped for further operations thereon. It will accordingly be apparent that I have devised an improved tool of the character described which is simple of design and operation and which is extremely effective for the purposes set forth.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire therefore that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art, or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a tool of the character described, a resilient circular metal band open at one side, a pair of crossed levers pivoted together intermediate their ends and pivoted to the ends of the band, an anchoring arm secured to the band and extending downwardly and rearwardly beneath the pivot for the levers, and a lock ring surrounding the levers and adapted to hold them in position with the band contracted.

2. In a tool of the character described, a resilient circular metal band open at one side, a pair of crossed levers pivoted together intermediate their ends and pivoted To the ends of the band, a lining of friction material for the band, an anchoring arm secured to the band and extending downwardly and rearwardly beneath the pivot for the lovers, and a lock ring surrounding the levers and adapted to hold them in position with the band contracted.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ELMER H. V. BECKER. 

